The strong labour market is making it easier for more Victorians to get jobs

The strong labour market has made it easier for more Victorians to get jobs. As a result, unemployment rates for Victorians that have historically faced complex and structural barriers to employment, such as women, young people, mature-aged workers, and early school leavers are below the average for the prior decade. However, the unemployment rates for young people and women have risen since 2023. The rise in youth unemployment is consistent with previous periods when labour demand has eased.

The long-term unemployment rate (people who have been searching for work for 12 months or more) has increased slightly but is still low by historical standards.

Unemployment in regional Victoria remains low compared to Greater Melbourne. ¹ In part, the strength in regional labour markets reflects strong population growth and economic activity resulting in strong demand for labour. While unemployment in regional Victoria is low, the share of people in regional Victoria either working or actively looking for work (measured by the labour force participation rate) is lower than in Greater Melbourne.